Farrukh Khan Patafi
Farrukh Khan Pitafi (born July 9, 1976) is a renowned Pakistani columnist, talk show host and blogger who has written regular columns for almost all Pakistani English dailies for over a decade. His official blog is among highly visited Pakistani blogs. He currently hosts a talk show for News One called Capital Circuit (an hour long program aired weekdays at 7 pm Pakistan Standard Time). His regular Urdu column titled "Daman-e-Koh" appears every Saturday in Daily Express, Lahore, Pakistan. He also contributes a weekly piece to the Express Tribune. His pieces also appear in other dailies from time to time.
He has a Masters degree in world history from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. When he started writing columns in 1999 he was the youngest regular English columnist of the country. Since then he has worked for Pakistan Television, Geo Television Network, Daily The Nation, The News International, The Post, tailored a nationwide election campaign and worked for pro-freedom non governmental organizations.
A thorough liberal, Pitafi has advocated for civil liberties in the country. His no-nonsense approach to national and international issues distinguishes him from other Pakistani columnists, analysts and TV anchors. His areas of expertise include foreign policy, political analysis, defense policy, war on terror and many important national and international issues. He also passionately defends free media and uncensored Internet. An ethnic Baloch, Pitafi also vociferously advocates mainstreaming and integration of Balochistan and winning back the hearts and minds in the province.